After a long pause, Patriarch Amamiya Gen finally nodded. "I'll approve it—but when you go to Uiseong, remember: you are not to use your young patriarch title to order around the local ninjas. They know business better than you."
"Understood." Raizen nodded, though he didn't take the warning too seriously. Sure, he had no formal experience in trade—but on Earth, he'd picked up a thing or two about marketing. Not enough to guarantee success, but enough to avoid being a total liability.
"So, when do you plan to leave?" Gen asked.
"Tomorrow," Raizen replied after a moment of thought.
"Very well," Gen said. "I'll notify the family ninjas stationed in Uiseong."
Raizen would go alone—his request had been to travel by himself, to learn firsthand. Early the next morning, he set off. Uiseong wasn't exactly close to the Amamiya estate, but it wasn't an impossible trek. Two days later, he arrived outside the city walls, surveying the worn-down settlement.
Most cities in the Warring States era were like this—except for major fortresses. The ninja estates, on the other hand, were far more prosperous. Raizen stepped into Uiseong's streets and noticed the few pedestrians moving along, their faces clouded with worry. Tension between Kashiwagi Makoto and Jinen Takuto had disrupted trade, leaving the city under a gloomy, oppressive haze. Ordinary people didn't have the luxury of happiness these days.
A commotion drew Raizen's attention, and three Amamiya clan members bearing the family crest approached quickly. Bowing, they spoke in unison, "Young patriarch, forgive our delay. Master Kashiwagi is occupied, so the three of us have come to greet you."
"Occupied? With what?" Raizen asked, curiosity flickering. He knew Kashiwagi Makoto oversaw the local weapon trade. If the master wasn't here to meet him, it could mean either active defiance or genuine business.
"It's like this," one of the three hurriedly explained, sensing Raizen's suspicion. "Kashiwagi and Jinen have been pressing for exclusive access to Amamiya weapons for their own clans. Of course, that's impossible—the Amamiya clan still needs trade revenue to grow. Master Kashiwagi has been busy mediating between the two sides to avoid outright conflict."
Raizen snorted, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Kashiwagi Makoto? Jinen Takuto? Bold little pests. I wonder what makes them think they can humiliate the Amamiya clan."
The three ninjas fell silent. Raizen's reputation carried weight—their eyes widened slightly at the murderous edge in his voice. His disdain for Kashiwagi and Jinen was palpable; it wasn't idle threat. Even seasoned elite Jōnin weren't immune to his wrath.
Under their guidance, Raizen arrived at the Amamiya family estate in Uiseong—a solid, well-guarded compound. The moment he stepped inside, a middle-aged man's eyes lit up, and he hurried toward Raizen with quick, purposeful steps, as if drawn by some unspoken urgency.